en.Wedoany.com Reported - Canadian mineral exploration company Azimut Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AZM, OTCQX: AZMTF) announced the results of its first diamond drilling program at the Lithos pegmatite field on the Wabamisk East property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, with all five drill holes intersecting high-grade spodumene pegmatite.
This short drilling phase comprised five holes totaling 650 meters, confirming the significant lithium potential previously identified through extensive exploration, mechanical stripping, and trench sampling on the property. The Wabamisk East property demonstrates a high-grade, kilometer-scale spodumene pegmatite field distributed across two main areas: Lithos North and Lithos South. At least 138 distinct spodumene-bearing outcrops have been identified on the property, with 340 trench and grab samples returning grades above 0.5% Li₂O and an average grade of 1.94% Li₂O. Grab samples are selective and may not represent average grades.
The Lithos North pegmatite field is the largest identified area on the property, consisting of an en echelon arrangement of pegmatite bodies defining a 1.2-kilometer-long corridor. Among the significant lithium deposits known in the James Bay region, the Galaxy deposit (Rio Tinto), located 125 kilometers west of the property, is considered the most geometrically similar analogue. Best drilling results include: Hole WL25-01 intersected 36.30 meters grading 1.87% Li₂O from 41.0 to 77.3 meters; Hole WL25-02 intersected 7.40 meters grading 1.18% Li₂O from 11.7 to 19.1 meters, 11.75 meters grading 1.47% Li₂O from 29.55 to 41.3 meters, and 23.05 meters grading 2.20% Li₂O from 52.35 to 75.4 meters, including a high-grade interval of 4.45 meters grading 3.40% Li₂O from 61.2 to 65.65 meters; Hole WL25-03 intersected 6.45 meters grading 1.25% Li₂O from 43.85 to 50.3 meters; Hole WL25-04 intersected 14.60 meters grading 1.28% Li₂O; and Hole WL25-05 intersected 5.45 meters grading 1.46% Li₂O.
Of the four holes drilled at Lithos North, the first two targeted the largest outcrop and intersected two and three separate pegmatite bodies, respectively. Hole WL25-04 intersected at least five distinct spodumene pegmatite bodies, with preliminary geometric interpretation suggesting steeply dipping stacked bodies. The single hole WL25-05 drilled at Lithos South intersected a near-vertical, NW-SE trending pegmatite body. Several high-grade outcrop targets on the property remain undrilled, including Benny (trenching returned 4.0 meters grading 1.34% Li₂O, with grab samples up to 3.00% Li₂O), Jumbo (trenching returned 7.0 meters grading 2.53% Li₂O and 6.0 meters grading 2.12% Li₂O), Whale (trenching returned 6.85 meters grading 1.42% Li₂O, 4.0 meters grading 1.37% Li₂O, and 8.0 meters grading 1.19% Li₂O), and Yo-Yo (grab samples up to 5.29% Li₂O).
The Wabamisk East property is wholly owned by Azimut, comprising 205 claims covering a total area of 108.5 square kilometers. The property is located 42 kilometers northeast of the Whabouchi lithium deposit (Rio Tinto) and 70 kilometers south of the Eleonore gold mine. The drilling program was fully funded by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc., with Azimut as operator. Due to a strategic change by Rio Tinto, it has terminated its option on the property. The project is directed by Azimut Project Manager Alain Cayer.
The 2026 exploration program will focus on advancing several well-defined gold targets near the property, associated with strong arsenic soil anomalies within the same regional anomalous trend identified on the adjacent Wabamisk property. The drilling program was completed by Nouchimi-RJLL Drilling Inc. of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, using NQ core diameter.
Azimut is a leading mineral exploration company with a strong track record in target generation and partnership development, controlling strategic land positions in gold, copper, nickel, and lithium in Quebec. The company's shareholders include two strategic investors, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Centerra Gold Inc., holding approximately 11% and 9.9% of the company's shares, respectively.
